5E Model

The 5E Model, developed in 1987 by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, is a constructivist learning method involving 5 key phases: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration and Evaluation.  Use the 5E Lesson plan template to start a 5E lesson plan.  The 5E model promotes collaborative, active learning in which students work together to solve problems and investigate new concepts by asking questions, observing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions. Compare with other Lesson Planning Frameworks.

Many technologies can be used to enhance the 5E lesson delivery. 

Engage

Goal: Capture students’ curiosity with a compelling phenomenon and connect to prior knowledge.

• Phenomenon: Teachers present a discrepant event or interesting phenomenon.  Employ photographic techniques to promote analysis. 

  1. • Video: Discrepant Events [6:12]

     • Video: Phenomena and Explanation [5:27]

     • Video: Infrared Photography [9:54]

     • Video: Slow Motion Photography [8:14]

     • Video: Stop Motion Photography [5:47]

     • Video:Time Lapse Photography [12:14]

     • Video: Image Magnification [6:54]

• Activity: Pose a thought-provoking question or scenario related to the phenomenon. Students express what they already know (prior knowledge) and what they wonder about the topic.

• Student Interaction: Use a digital platform (e.g., Padlet or Quickwrite) for students to share initial observations, questions, and predictions.

  1. • Video: Quickwrites - Collaborative Spreadsheets [6:44]

• Technology Integration: Use interactive media, such as AR/VR or  simulations, to make the phenomenon vivid and relatable.

Explore

Goal: Allow students to investigate the phenomenon hands-on and gather evidence.

• Activity: Provide inquiry-based tasks (e.g., experiments or virtual labs) for students to collect and analyze data related to the phenomenon.

• Data Collection: Leverage simulations, data collection tools (e.g., sensors or apps), or virtual experiments to explore the phenomenon in depth.

  • • Video: Phyphox  [1:45] accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer, microphone, proximity sensor, light sensor, GPS, temperature sensor, compass, linear acceleration sensor, rotation vector sensor

    • Video: Sensors Toolbox [1:31] accelerometer, gravity, rotation vector, linear acceleration, orientation, gyroscope, geomagnetic field

    • Video: Gaugues  [1:22] Altimeter, speedometer, barometer, acceleraometer, magnetometer, sound level, location, luminance

    • Video: Psychrometer (Relative humidity) [2:39]

    • Video: Infrared photography (Surface temperatures) [9:34]   Photos

    • Video: Pocket lab (accelerometer) [0:57]

    • Video: Pocket lab air (carbon dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, AQI) [0:55]

    • Video: Distance (LIDAR) [1:08]

• Amnalyzing data: Encourage collaboration through online tools (e.g., Google Workspace, collaborative spreadsheets) for documenting observations and data.

  • • Video: Scatter plot [6:49] 

    • Video: Combination Plots [4:47]

    • Video: Area Plots [2:39]

    • Video: Pie Charts [2:07]

    • Video: Annotating Data Points [3:58]

    • Video: Column & Bar Graphs [1:51]

    • Video: Max, Min, Ave, Median, Average, % [6:02]

• Predictions: Have students use data to refine or adjust their initial predictions, logging their reasoning in a digital journal or app.

  • • Video: Line of Best Fit [3:41]

Explain

Goal: Facilitate students in developing explanations based on evidence and scientific principles.

• Model development: Guide students to use the collected data to form evidence-based explanations of the phenomenon. Use technology (e.g., CER templates in Google Docs) for students to present their explanations.

  1. • Video: Creating models and flowcharts with Draw.io [12:26]

     • Video: Creating combination charts [32:42]

• Cross-cutting concepts: Introduce relevant scientific ideas, vocabulary, or crosscutting concepts through interactive presentations or videos.

• Students present motels: Incorporate tools like interactive whiteboards or AI-powered tools (e.g., ChatGPT or Desmos) to clarify and connect findings to broader concepts.

  1. • Video: Whiteboard.fi -student model development [4:38] - Sample backgrounds

     • Video: Desmos - Sketching activity [1:26]

     • Video: Desmos – watching student model development in real time [2:22]

     • Video: Nearpod Draw-it - feature - whiteboard [4:05]

Elaborate

Goal: Extend learning by applying concepts to new situations and making further predictions.

• Real-world application: Provide a design challenge or real-world problem that relates to the phenomenon (e.g., using engineering practices).

• Predictions: Have students make predictions about how their solutions or new scenarios will behave, supported by evidence.

• Technology Integration: Utilize modeling software, data visualization tools (e.g. spreadsheet graphing), or AR/VR experiences to simulate scenarios and test ideas.

Evaluate

Goal: Assess understanding and provide feedback to deepen learning.

• Assesment: Use performance tasks, quizzes (e.g. Google forms), or reflections  (e.g. quickwrites) to assess students’ grasp of the phenomenon and concepts.

  1. • Video: Quizziz - Creating and Editing Quizziz [5:03]

     • Video: Quizlet - Cuizlet, create a study set - [2:44]

     • Video: Card matching with Quizlet [2:12]

     • Video: Gamifying class with Kahoot! [4:31]

• Student Interaction: Allow students to create digital portfolios, presentations, or videos summarizing their findings and predictions.

  1. • Video: Animating Diagrams in Google Slides [5:08]

     • Video: Animating Diagrams-2 (cardiac circulation) [2:03]

     • Video: Mystery Container - Siphons - Making a movie from Google Slides [14:53]

• Feedback: Provide feedback through learning platforms (e.g., Google Classroom or Edmodo).